A Quick Guide to Essential Security Settings for Apps and Online Services

Online threats are accelerating faster than most users notice, and 2025 is shaping up to be the year when either the front door is locked or left open. Phishing lures, identity theft, and headline-grabbing breaches now start with settings most people never touch. These are factory defaults tuned for convenience rather than protection. 

Global cybercrime losses are projected to leap from $9.22 trillion in 2024 to $13.82 trillion by 2028. This may look like something that only happens in large companies, but the reality is that weak and easily accessible settings can put anyone at risk. Default settings were one of the most exploited vulnerabilities in 2023, according to an official report from CISA. 

Security loopholes are exploited in almost every program and online service, from banking apps to social feeds and games. Staying safe online lies with the person holding the screen.

This short guide looks at optimizing the security settings for apps and online services to have a safer online experience.

Locking the Front Door With Passwords and MFA

Passwords remain the first and the least secure barrier. Re-used or simple phrases still open the door fastest, and a majority of users opt for this convenience. According to Forbes, 46 percent of Americans had their passwords stolen in 2024. This is usually because of generic passwords like ‘123456’.

Password managers are a good option as these apps can generate and store long, random strings while the user only has to remember one strong master key. Pair that with multi-factor authentication (MFA), preferably an app-based code from Google Authenticator instead of SMS, which remains vulnerable to SIM-swap fraud, and the account is measurably more secure.

Taming App Permissions

No matter what device they are installed on, app permissions deserve the same scrutiny. 

Check for these app permissions in device settings and see if these apps actually require access to the camera, contact list, and location. For instance, weather widgets do not need microphone access, puzzle games do not need constant location pings, yet many users grant both without a second thought. 

Allow “Precise Location” only for maps or ride-shares, and set everything else not to access your location. Social and gaming platforms quietly expand their data collection with every update, so trimming those extras before the next viral challenge begins prevents surprises.

Built-In Settings You Should Flip

Each major platform hides powerful armor behind menus that most people never open. Google accounts can be enrolled in the Advanced Protection Program, which demands hardware keys, but is effective, as it blocks nearly every phishing attempt. 

Apple and Android both offer full-disk encryption and automatic screen-lock timers measured in seconds, not minutes. Enabling these advanced settings protects the device if it is lost or stolen. 

Social networks have their own arsenals: Instagram’s “Restrict” quietly hides bullies, Messenger has a secure kids version, and Discord can disable direct messages from non-friends to minimize phishing links. 

Risks of Online Entertainment Apps and Games

Younger users jump into apps and online services like Xbox and Roblox, where data collection and online risks lurk. These platforms often track location, chats, and habits, leaving kids open to privacy breaches or predators.

Addictive gaming apps, for instance, target young users who end up spending hundreds of dollars and countless hours on these platforms. This is now a major concern among teens, as documented in the video game addiction lawsuit. The platforms use loot boxes and reward systems to keep users addicted, resulting in depression and anxiety.

TorHoerman Law notes that affected individuals are eligible for potential compensation for the mental health issues due to these apps.

Parents can still lock things down with tools like Google Family Link, Apple Screen Time, or Xbox Family Settings. These let them filter content, restrict usage, and control the sharing of private information.

Simple App Sharing Settings

Users rely on shared apps like calendars, photo albums, and group chats to stay in touch. They often overlook how much personal data is broadcast by default.  

The stakes were underscored by the recent “zero-click” WhatsApp breach, which proved how sophisticated hackers can even attack personal communication. Users need to update sharing and privacy controls on every app used for sharing in the inner circle.

Start inside Google Photos or Apple’s Shared Albums: switch the default “Anyone with the link” to “Invite only,” and double-check that location data is stripped from each image. On WhatsApp, move sensitive group chats from “Everyone” to “My Contacts” or “My Contacts Except…” and disable auto-downloads of media.

Social apps hide similar toggles: flip public accounts to private, disable location tagging, and restrict story replies to followers you already follow.

Security as a Daily Habit

Even productivity tools moonlight as privacy guards. Browser extensions shield from trackers and speed up page loads. Focus Mode on Android or Do Not Disturb on iOS can be scheduled to mute Slack, Instagram, and news alerts during deep-work blocks. The same toggle that preserves attention also shrinks the window for phishing links. 

Finally, safety becomes second nature when it is treated as routine rather than a crisis response. Lock the digital door once, glance at the lock quarterly, and the same devices that feel effortless will also feel safe.